In Spring 2021 we are going to deliver a programme of high quality craft workshops that focus on heritage crafts and hand-making skills. We plan to bring A-list celebrity crafters from across the country to the picturesque historic city of Dunblane to deliver high end workshops to enthusiastic makers, be they complete beginners looking to indulge their creative urges, or established makers looking for a new challenge. We will cover niche disciplines that you won't find anywhere else in Scotland, such as Passementerie lace making, and in-demand favourites such as spoon carving and visible mending. There will be something for all abilities, from the craft enthusiast starting out to established makers looking for a new challenge. Our first round of workshops will be available exclusively through this crowdfunder. Kicking off the show in spring 2021 will be master whittler and local artist Louise Forbes, joining us for a fun day of spoon carving. Then, one of the countries only remaining practitioners of the craft, Elizabeth Ashdown will deliver a fascinating two day Passementerie Lace weaving workshop. And we are beyond delighted to welcome international textile artist extraordinaire Joanna Flanningan, aka The Pale Rook to deliver a doll making workshop focussed on storytelling in summer 2021. Joanna's sell out workshops have been delighting budding dollmakers accross the world, and are in high demand!
Our ambition for the artisan craft school is to address the issue of rural inequality when it comes to creative learning. We aim to bring craft education in line with what is available in the urban centres, where there is no shortage of crafters offering small workshops for all ability levels from their own workshops. We dream of bringing a new, multi-faceted business to the historic town of Dunblane, to improve access to creative activities in the community and diversify the rural economy.
'The Scouring Pad', named for the Scouring Burn that babbles nearby adjacent to the workshop, will be home to the Central Scotland School of Craft, and a boutique live-in retreat for artists.It has plenty of room for two, patio doors overlooking the garden (and the land art!), en suite facilities and a kitchenette, and linking internal door to the workshop area. The apartment is key to the ambition of the workshops we will offer, as it will let us offer accommodation to visiting tutors, helping us to attract top notch makers in from all over the country. It will also be available for professional and amateur artists to rent for longer term retreats, to soak up the ambience of the Dunblane countryside and realise ambitious projects in the spacious studio.
The Scouring Pad is the perfect place to embark on a large painting for a private commission, spread out your sketch books for some intensive development time, or just time to retreat from the bustle of the crowd and get some headspace to think and be creative. It will be available to rent with or without the use of the studio, and on flexible dates to suit you.
The historic and picturesque 'city' (because we have a cathedral!) is well connected by road and rail, with frequent trains to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth, Aberdeen, and even the sleeper train to London. Located just off the A9 it is an easy drive to a multitude of stunning highland beauty spots, making it a perfect launchpad for hill walking, climbing, canoeing and most importantly, artistic inspiration! We're surrounded by countryside, with woodland walks, riverside rambles and an abundance of creative inspiration right on our doorstep. You can set off out the back gate and walk for hours exploring the warren of paths without even setting foot on a pavement, and we're a short hop by car or public transport to the Highlands. The town itself is steeped in history, boasting not only the majestic Cathedral but also the country's first ever lending Library, and of course Andy Murray's gold post box!
We, the dream team who are coming together to launch this exciting new project are Rebecca Wilson and Jo Pudelko. As well as being successful creative practitioners, we bring a portfolio of skills to the task, with combined experience of several hundred years (ok it feels like that long, maybe its not) in craft teaching, events, and arts admin.
Rebecca has over a decades experience in creative event management and arts administration. She was administrator for Visual Arts Scotland for 15+ years, and continues to work on bespoke projects such as the Cordis Prize for Tapestry and the Inches Carr Mentoring Awards. She is a contemporary ceramicist and jeweller who has exhibited extensively in the UK and abroad, most notably at COLLECT in the Saatchi Gallery, London, SOFA in Chicago, JOYA in Barcelona and Sieraad in Amsterdam in recent years.
Jo Pudelko is an experienced artist and educator. She is the proprietor of Central Scotland School of Jewellery, which has been a pillar of Dunblane's creative community since 2017. Jo is a polymath of the jewellery world who has taught with Edinburgh College of Art, DJCAD, Leith School of Art and Cromarty Arts Trust to name but a few. She is passionate about sustainable practise and creative learning for all. Her experience and expertise will in the creative education field with be an invaluable asset to the Central Scotland School of Craft.
Explore the stories you know, the stories you hear, and the stories you want to tell. You will be working with a mix of traditional cloth doll making methods and free form textile sculpture, as well as incorporating found objects and natural materials. You will learn how to recognise emerging characters in your doll making, and how to use the inherent qualities of your materials to bring these characters to life.
Elizabeth Ashdown MA RCA is one of just a few hand Passementerie weavers left in the UK. An introduction to the wonderful world of the traditional French technique of intricately hand woven Passementerie in all of its forms, and you'll leave with your very own loom, all warped up and ready to continue your weaving journey.
One Day Spoon Carving Workshop Expect a fun filled few hours with master whittler Louise Forbes learning all the skills you need to carve your very own wooden spoon. All of the materials and tools will be provided, all you need to bring is an open mind and a big smile.
Whether you're a staycationer looking for a weekend away, or an artist looking for a micro residency to kickstart a new project, theres a warm welcome, fantastic scenery, and inspiration aplenty waiting for you here in picturesque Dunblane.
